Tummy Tuck Final Results

Doctor Answers 39

Results from a tummy tuck

March 14th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a significant operation and takes a little time to completely recover from. Though you may not feel great, you will see a significant difference right away. Any hanging excess skin will be gone immediately after your surgery. You can use that for encouragement as you go through the initial 2-3 weeks of healing.

As with most operations there is a three stage healing process. You really will see immediate improvement from your procedure. Once you get past the first 2-3 weeks you will see the new shape of your body. Swelling will be resolving and you will feel a lot better. Then you will enter the second phase of healing which lasts 2-3 months. The remainder of your swelling will resolve over that time.

At first you may not fit into pants that fit you well before your surgery. As the first three months go by your body will shrink with the decreasing swelling. At three months you will be more or less back to normal and likely fitting into smaller clothing that you wore before surgery. The final stage of healing can take up to a year. There may be small areas of numbness or firm skin. This will slowly resolve over time. At one year, its about as good as it gets. You will like the results immediately, love them at three months, and have forgotten all about the healing process at one year.

Much of the initial swelling after a tummy tuck resolves...

January 8th, 2008

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Much of the initial swelling after a tummy tuck resolves in the first few weeks. However, it is common to have swelling or fullness in the lower abdomen or tummy area due to having the lymphatics divided as part of the surgery. This swelling is often improved with massage and wearing of a compression garment, but can persist for several weeks.

If you are planning a big vacation to the beach to show off your new figure, I’d recommend leaving as much time as possible for the results to improve; ideally 6 months or more. Most patients, however, get the majority of their final shape in 2-3 months.

The scar from a tummy tuck improves with time for a year or more, and postoperative scar care is important in maximizing the result. Massaging the scar and protecting it from sunlight and tanning are the most important factors. Additionally, topical application of silicone or Mederma are perhaps also beneficial.

Noticeable Improvement VS FINAL Results from a Tummy Tuck

February 21st, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The extent of undermining, muscle tightening and associated liposuction done with a Tummy Tuck would prolong swelling. But you should see a noticeable improvement immediately after a tummy tuck which would improve as the swelling subsides. By 4 months after surgery much of the swelling should have resolved and by 6-8 months you should be able to see the final results.

Tummy Tuck Pictures

Tummy tuck results show after swelling subsides

February 27th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

After any surgical procedure, you will have swelling for several weeks. Most of this swelling will resolves by about the 6th week after your surgeon. The remaining 10% or so, will take several months to be completely gone. Compression graments and early massaging will help to resolve early swelling.

Final Tummy Tuck results show after 3-6 months on average

February 5th, 2009

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hello,

The answer depends upon the size of your operation and your healing capacity. Patients who smoke take longer to heal. Patients who have liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck may take longer for swelling to resolve afterward.

3 months to see the results of a tummy tuck

August 29th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It takes 3 months to see the final results. Expect 2-4 weeks for the swelling to go away, and then for the duration of about 3 months the wounds on the inside continue to heal and as they do they contract. Your abdomen shape will continue to change slightly during those 3 months. For the scars, you want to wait about a year. It takes about a year for scars in general to complete healing. Initially they will be red, raised, noticeable. Then they will slowly fade away. In some cases the color does not fade away and treatments are available to fade the redness of the scar to make it much less noticeable

How long to result of tummy tuck

April 20th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It usually takes at least 3 months to see the result; in some patients it may take longer than 3 months. The final result is apparent only after all the swelling is gone. While all patients have swelling initially, some patients have swelling that takes a while to resolve. You may have difficulty fitting into your pre-surgery clothes. Once the swelling has dissipated, your clothes will fit again and, in some cases, you will wear a smaller size. If you are still swollen at the present time, you might consider wearing bike shorts during the day to help keep the swelling down.

Timing for tummy tuck results

March 15th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The majority of your results should be fairly immediate in terms of the contour and shape of your abdomen. Swelling may persist for several months, but can be lessened by wearing postoperative garments or binders. Incisions typically heal in the first 4-6 weeks and stop changing in appearance by 1 year.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.